Several medals laid out on a table.

National Heritage Fellowships

The NEA National Heritage Fellowships is the nation's highest honor in folk and traditional arts. Each year since 1982, the program recognizes recipients' artistic excellence, lifetime achievement, and contributions to our nation's traditional arts heritage. See below for information on how to submit a nomination.

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“The 2023 National Heritage Fellows exemplify what it means to live an artful life. Their rich and diverse art forms connect us to the past, strengthen our communities today, and give hope to future generations in ways that only the arts can. Our nation is strengthened through their meaningful practices, expressions, and preservation of traditional artistry.” — NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, announcing the 2023 honorees.

National Heritage Fellowships Awards Ceremony—Friday, September 29, 2023, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

NOTE: The live ceremony has concluded. Watch the recording below.

The awards ceremony honored the 2023 National Heritage Fellows and recognized the 2020-2022 recipients. Hosted by the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, the ceremony opened with a performance by Irish flute player and 2021 NEA National Heritage Fellow Joanie Madden.

Ceremony program (pdf)

 

2023 NEA National Heritage Fellows

All National Heritage Fellows
A man holding a guitar.
2023

R.L. Boyce

Hill Country Blues Musician
A man standing by the water with a basket strapped to his head.
2023

Ed Eugene Carriere (Suquamish)

Suquamish Basketmaker
Headshot of a man.
2023

Michael A. Cummings

African American Quilter
Headshot of a man.
2023

Joe DeLeon “Little Joe” Hernández

Tejano Music Performer
A woman poses next to a wall hanging.
2023

Roen Kahalewai Hufford (Hawaiian)

Kapa Maker
A woman poses for the camera.
2023

Elizabeth James-Perry (Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, Aquinnah)

Wampum & Fiber Artist
A woman playing a large string instyrument.
2023

Wu Man

Pipa Player
Headshot of a m,an.
2023

Nick Spitzer

Folklife Presenter, Educator, and Radio Producer
A man poses infront of a doorway crowned with a painted sculpture.
2023

Luis Tapia

Sculptor, Hispano Woodcarving Tradition

Looking Back

Roots of American Culture: A Cross-Country Visit with Living Treasures of the Folk and Traditional Arts celebrates the 2022 NEA National Heritage Fellowship honorees.

An audio-described option is also available »

2021 Film |  2020 Film |  2019 Concert  |  Photo Gallery

National Heritage Fellows Podcasts

All National Heritage Fellow Podcasts
A woman dressed in a flamenco dancer dress strikes a pose.

Revisiting Eva Enciñias

Flamenco Artist and 2022 National Heritage Fellow
Headshot of a man.

Joe Deleon "Little Joe" Hernández

Tejano Music Performer and 2023 National Heritage Fellow
A man standing in front of a door with a colorful design over the door.

Luis Tapia

Sculptor, Hispano Woodcarving Tradition, and 2023 National Heritage Fellow

Recent News

All National Heritage Fellow News
Eldrid Skjold Arntzen wearing traditional Norwegian clothing and holding a box with her floral designs painted on it.

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Eldrid Skjold Arntzen

A black and white photo of an older man wearing a baseball-style hat, sitting on a folding chair playing the guitar and singing into a microphone. You can see another person in the background also playing music

National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow R.L. Boyce

A collage of photos showing the nine 2023 NEA National Heritage Fellows

Free Events September 28-29 Celebrate NEA National Heritage Fellows

Nominate a National Heritage Fellow!

The National Endowment for the Arts encourages nominations of master folk and traditional artists to recognize artistic excellence, lifetime achievement, and contributions to our nation's traditional arts heritage.
Make a Nomination